9/8/98
13-1B
CHAPTER 5. NONDESTRUCTIVE INSPECTION (NDI)
SECTION 2. VISUAL INSPECTION
5-15. GENERAL. Visual inspection is the
oldest and most common form of NDI for air-
craft. Approximately 80 percent of all NDI
procedures are accomplished by the direct vis-
ual methods. This inspection procedure may
be greatly enhanced by the use of appropriate
combinations of magnifying instruments,
borescopes, light sources, video scanners, and
other devices discussed in this AC. Visual in-
spection provides a means of detecting and ex-
amining a wide variety of component and ma-
terial surface discontinuities, such as cracks,
corrosion, contamination, surface finish, weld
joints, solder connections, and adhesive dis-
bonds. Visual inspection is widely used for
detecting and examining aircraft surface
cracks, which are particularly important be-
cause of their relationship to structural failures.
Visual inspection is frequently used to provide
verification when defects are found initially
using other NDI techniques. The use of opti-
cal aids for visual inspection is beneficial and
recommended. Optical aids magnify defects
that cannot be seen by the unaided eye and also
permit visual inspection in inaccessible areas.
5-16. SIMPLE VISUAL INSPECTION
AIDS. It should be emphasized that the eye-
mirror-flashlight is a critical visual inspection
process. Aircraft structure and components
that must be routinely inspected are frequently
located beneath skin, cables, tubing, control
rods, pumps, actuators, etc. Visual inspection
aids such as a powerful flashlight, a mirror
with a ball joint, and a 2 to 10 power magni-
fying glass are essential in the inspection proc-
ess.
a. Flashlights. Flashlights used for air-
craft inspection should be suitable for indus-
trial use and, where applicable, safety ap-
proved by the Underwriters Laboratory or
Par 5-15
AC 43.
equivalent agency as suitable for use in haz-
ardous atmospheres such as aircraft fuel tanks.
Military Specification MIL-F-3747E, flash-
lights: plastic case, tubular (regular, explosion-
proof, explosion-proof heat resistant, traffic di-
recting, and inspection-light), provides re-
quirements for flashlights suitable for use in
aircraft inspection. However, at the present
time, the flashlights covered by this specifica-
tion use standard incandescent lamps and there
are no standardized performance tests for
flashlights with the brighter bulbs: Krypton,
Halogen, and Xenon. Each flashlight manu-
facturer currently develops its tests and pro-
vides information on its products in its adver-
tising literature. Therefore, when selecting a
flashlight for use in visual inspection, it is
sometimes difficult to directly compare prod-
ucts. The following characteristics should be
considered when selecting a flashlight: foot-
candle rating; explosive atmosphere rating;
beam spread (adjustable, spot, or flood); effi-
ciency (battery usage rate); brightness after
extended use; and rechargeable or standard
batteries. (If rechargeable, how many hours of
continuous use and how long is required for
recharging?) If possible, it would be best to
take it apart and inspect for quality of con-
struction and to actually use the flashlight like
it would be used in the field. Inspection flash-
lights are available in several different bulb
brightness levels:
(1) Standard incandescent (for long-
battery life).
(2) Krypton (for 70 percent more light
than standard bulbs).
(3) Halogen (for up to 100 percent more
light than standard bulbs).
(4) Xenon (for over 100 percent more
light than standard bulbs).
Page 5-9
AC 43.13-1B
CHAPTER 5. NONDESTRUCTIVE INSPECTION (NDI)
SECTION 2. VISUAL INSPECTION
b. Inspection Mirrors. An inspection
mirror is used to view an area that is not in the
normal line of sight. The mirror should be of
the appropriate size to easily view the compo-
nent, with the reflecting surface free of dirt,
cracks, worn coating, etc., and a swivel joint
tight enough to maintain its setting.
c. Simple Magnifiers. A single con-
verging lens, the simplest form of a micro-
scope, is often referred to as a simple magni-
fier. Magnification of a single lens is deter-
mined by the equation M = 10/f. In this equa-
tion, M is the magnification, f is the focal
length of the lens in inches, and 10 is a con-
stant that represents the average minimum
distance at which objects can be distinctly seen
by the unaided eye. Using the equation, a lens
with a focal length of 5 inches has a magnifi-
cation of 2, or is said to be a two-power lens.
5-17. BORESCOPES. These instruments
are long, tubular, precision optical instruments
with built-in illumination, designed to allow
remote visual inspection of internal surfaces or
otherwise inaccessible areas. The tube, which
can be rigid or flexible with a wide variety of
lengths and diameters, provides the necessary
optical connection between the viewing end
and an objective lens at the distant, or distal tip
of the borescope. Rigid and flexible bores-
copes are available in different designs for a
variety of standard applications and manufac-
turers also provide custom designs for spe-
cialized applications. Figure 5-1 shows three
typical designs of borescopes.
a. Borescopes Uses. Borescopes are used
in aircraft and engine maintenance programs to
reduce or eliminate the need for costly tear-
downs. Aircraft turbine engines have access
ports that are specifically designed for bores-
copes. Borescopes are also used extensively in
a variety of aviation maintenance programs to
determine the airworthiness of difficult-to-
reach components. Borescopes
Page 5-10
9/8/98
typically are used to inspect interiors of hy-
draulic cylinders and valves for pitting, scor-
ing, porosity, and tool marks; inspect for
cracked cylinders in aircraft reciprocating en-
gines; inspect turbojet engine turbine blades
and combustion cans; verify the proper place-
ment and fit of seals, bonds, gaskets, and sub-
assemblies in difficult to reach areas; and as-
sess Foreign Object Damage (FOD) in aircraft,
airframe, and powerplants. Borescopes may
also be used to locate and retrieve foreign ob-
jects in engines and airframes.
b. Optical Designs. Typical designs for
the optical connection between the borescope
viewing end and the distal tip are:
(1) A rigid tube with a series of relay
lenses;
(2) A flexible or rigid tube with a bun-
dle of optical fibers; and
(3) A flexible or rigid tube with wiring
that carries the image signal from a Charge
Couple Device (CCD) imaging sensor at the
distal tip.
These designs can have either fixed or adjust-
able focusing of the objective lens at the distal
tip. The distal tip may also have prisms and
mirrors that define the direction and field of
view. A fiber optic light guide with white
light is generally used in the illumination sys-
tem, but ultraviolet light can also be used to
inspect surfaces treated with liquid fluorescent
penetrant or to inspect for contaminants that
fluoresce. Some borescopes with long work-
ing lengths use light-emitting diodes at the
distal tip for illumination.
5-18. VISUAL INSPECTION PROCE-
DURES. Corrosion can be an extremely criti-
cal defect. Therefore, NDI personnel should
be familiar with the appearance of common
types of corrosion and have training and
Par 5-16
9/8/98 AC 43.13-1B
CHAPTER 5. NONDESTRUCTIVE INSPECTION (NDI)

SECTION 2. VISUAL INSPECTION

FIGURE 5-1. Typical borescope designs.

experience on corrosion detection on aircraft
structure and engine materials. (Reference:
AC 43-4A, Corrosion Control for Aircraft, for
additional information on corrosion.
a. Preliminary Inspection. Perform a
preliminary inspection of the overall general
area for cleanliness, presence of foreign ob-
jects, deformed or missing fasteners, security
of parts, corrosion, and damage. If the con-
figuration or location of the part conceals the
area to be inspected, use visual aids such as a
mirror or borescope.
b. Corrosion Treatment. Treat any cor-
rosion found during preliminary inspection
after completing a visual inspection of any se-
lected part or area.

Par 5-18 Page 5-11

AC 43.13-1B
CHAPTER 5. NONDESTRUCTIVE INSPECTION (NDI)
SECTION 2. VISUAL INSPECTION
NOTE: Eddy current, radiography,
or ultrasonic inspection can deter-
mine the loss of metal to corrosion.
c. Lighting. Provide adequate lighting to
illuminate the selected part or area.
d. Personal Comfort. Personal comfort
(temperature, wind, rain, etc.) of the inspector
can be a factor in visual inspection reliability.
e. Noise. Noise levels while conducting a
visual inspection are important. Excessive
noise reduces concentration, creates tension,
and prevents effective communication. All
these factors will increase the likelihood of er-
rors.
f. Inspection Area Access. Ease of ac-
cess to the inspection area has been found to
be of major importance in obtaining reliable
visual inspection results. Access consists of
the act of getting into an inspection position
(primary access) and doing the visual inspec-
tion (secondary access). Poor access can affect
the inspectors interpretation of discontinuities,
decision making, motivation, and attitude.
g. Precleaning. Clean the areas or surface
of the parts to be inspected. Remove any con-
taminates that might hinder the discovery of
existing surface indications. Do not remove
the protective finish from the part or area prior
to inspection. Removal of the finish may be
required at a later time if other NDI techniques
are required to verify any visual indications of
flaws that are found.
h. Inspection. Carefully inspect the area
for discontinuities, using optical aids as
Page 5-12
9/8/98
required. An inspector normally should have
available suitable measuring devices, a flash-
light, and a mirror.
(1) Surface cracks. When searching for
surface cracks with a flashlight, direct the light
beam at a 5 to 45 degree angle to the inspec-
tion surface, towards the face. (See fig-
ure 5-2.) Do not direct the light beam at such
an angle that the reflected light beam shines di-
rectly into the eyes. Keep the eyes above the
reflected light beam during the inspection.
Determine the extent of any cracks found by
directing the light beam at right angles to the
crack and tracing its length. Use a 10-power
magnifying glass to confirm the existence of a
suspected crack. If this is not adequate, use
other NDI techniques, such as penetrant, mag-
netic particle, or eddy current to verify cracks.
(2) Other surface discontinuities. In-
spect for other surface discontinuities, such as:
discoloration from overheating; buckled,
bulging, or dented skin; cracked, chafed, split,
or dented tubing; chafed electrical wiring; de-
laminations of composites; and damaged pro-
tective finishes.
i. Recordkeeping. Document all discrep-
ancies by written report, photograph, and/or
video recording for appropriate evaluation.
The full value of visual inspection can be re-
alized only if records are kept of the discrep-
ancies found on parts inspected. The size and
shape of the discontinuity and its location on
the part should be recorded along with other
pertinent information, such as rework per-
formed or disposition. The inclusion on a re-
port of some visible record of the discontinuity
makes the report more complete.
Par 5-18
9/8/98 AC 43.13-1B

CHAPTER 5. NONDESTRUCTIVE INSPECTION (NDI)

SECTION 2. VISUAL INSPECTION

FIGURE 5-2. Using a flashlight to inspect for cracks.

5-24. [RESERVED.]
5-19.

Par 5-18 Page 5-13 (and 5-14)